GT-R Fever At Global Auto

Looking for a GT-R? Then scrolling through Global Auto‘s ever-changing stock list is probably a daily ritual for you.

Or, if you are like me, you’re just curious to check out how the market is moving and what cars are out there.

global_auto_2021_dino_dalle_carbonare_01

If you’ve been doing this for a while, you might have noticed a change. That is, a lack of asking prices. At Global Auto’s GT-R candy shop in Sakai City, Osaka, those hard-to-decipher JDM price boards that you once had to add four zeros to for a BNR34 don’t exist now either.

global_auto_2021_dino_dalle_carbonare_03
global_auto_2021_dino_dalle_carbonare_02
global_auto_2021_dino_dalle_carbonare_08

These days, you have to “ASK” to get a quote, and that quote will vary from day to day as GT-R values continue to rise. This goes for all GT-Rs – except the R35, which remains a performance bargain in Japan.

It’s the ’89 to ’02 GT-Rs that people want, and as we’ve been seeing for a while now, there are no shortage of overseas buyers willing to fork out the sort of money that would have been deemed farcical a decade ago.

global_auto_2021_dino_dalle_carbonare_07

Many say that it’s an unsustainable trend, and that it will all come crashing down at some point. But there hasn’t been anything to sustain that opinion – yet.

global_auto_2021_dino_dalle_carbonare_14

If you’re already a GT-R owner, then you’re probably feeling pretty good right now – especially if you picked your car up prior the market going nuts. If you’re a reseller, you’re probably doing rather well too – provided you stockpiled cars in advance and have reliable wholesale sources for fresh inventory.

As I walked through the rows of tightly-parked GT-Rs of every generation that Global Auto have on display, my mind boggled at the thought of the combined value of these cars.

global_auto_2021_dino_dalle_carbonare_18

But you know what? As a BNR34 owner and a massive Skyline GT-R fan since I first laid eyes on a BNR32 when I arrived in Japan back in 1993, the market going crazy has also put me off a little.

global_auto_2021_dino_dalle_carbonare_21

Don’t get me wrong, the cars themselves continue to tantalize my mind and I feel lucky that I’ve enjoyed owning one for 22 years now, but the opportunism that has spanned from this GT-R boom leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

global_auto_2021_dino_dalle_carbonare_36
global_auto_2021_dino_dalle_carbonare_25

To me, the GT-R was always an affordable sports car that you could personalize in many different ways. In fact, it’s still very much that in my mind, but the reality has shifted.

global_auto_2021_dino_dalle_carbonare_32

After the R35 GT-R hit the scene in 2007, Nissan evolved and perfected it, in the process creating an absolute supercar slayer. Fifteen years on, Nismo versions of the R35 – like the 2020 model year car above that Global Auto recently acquired – sell for three to four times what R32, R33 and R34 GT-Rs sold for back in the day.

I call it brand inflation, and a rightly earned one, but this of course has trickled down to the older models too.

I try to pick up bits and pieces from Nissan and Nismo to keep my soon-to-be-vintage R34 in the best condition it can be, but am constantly left open-mouthed when I see parts prices being doubled if not tripled. But I digress…

global_auto_2021_dino_dalle_carbonare_12

Visiting Global Auto, it was amazing to be surrounded by so many GT-Rs, and to see just how Yasui-san has cemented himself as the go-to guy for these cars. If there’s a specific spec you’re after, there’s a good chance he can help you out.

global_auto_2021_dino_dalle_carbonare_13

While his roots may be in VIP as one of the founders of Junction Produce, GT-Rs have always been in Yasui-san’s heart. It was awesome to see that he still has the wild time attack BNR34 that he built years back, and which I featured an eternity ago, or at least what feels like one.

global_auto_2021_dino_dalle_carbonare_38

The consensus in Japan within GT-R circles is that once the United States’ ’25-year rule’ starts to allow R34s to be legally imported (the 1999 cars will be eligible in 2024), there will be one final big price push and then values will stabilize.

That would make a lot of sense, but what I really hope is that Nissan and Nismo keep the support going. By that I mean that they start remaking parts to allow owners to maintain their now highly-collectible cars. I understand that prices of re-manufactured parts need to be higher to cover low-volume production costs, but they shouldn’t be ridiculous. After all, it’s in a manufacturer’s best interest to support those keeping their legendary cars on the road.

With Project 964, I’m noticing just how well Porsche and third-party parts manufacturers do it.

global_auto_2021_dino_dalle_carbonare_16

On that note, it’s not just the GT-Rs that are commanding big money; the used parts market is on fire too. Looking through the two workshop areas at Global Auto instantly made me regret selling bits and pieces off my GT-R. Getting rid of the stock wheels for so little was perhaps my biggest mistake, as these are worth a lot now. Hindsight is a wonderful thing…

global_auto_2021_dino_dalle_carbonare_41
global_auto_2021_dino_dalle_carbonare_31

Global Auto is not only about GT-Rs; they keep an eye out for anything performance-related from 1990s. A lot of more modern stuff on the yard are cars that customers have traded in.

global_auto_2021_dino_dalle_carbonare_33

After much pondering and reminiscing while walking through an inventory that GT-R dreams are made of, things got a little more interesting…

global_auto_2021_dino_dalle_carbonare_44

Yasui-san asked me if I wanted to see the secret place where Global Auto keeps its really special cars.

To see what that’s all about make sure you tune back in later in the week, but the meantime I’d really like to hear from GT-R owners around the world, and see what their take is on all this Skyline craziness.

Dino Dalle Carbonare
Instagram: dino_dalle_carbonare
dino@speedhunters.com

ADVERTISEMENT

Comments



Comments are closed.

46 comments

by Oldest
by Best by Newest by Oldest
1

It’s good that Japanese cars are now appreciated around the world, it’s well deserved. On the other hand with prices going up on almost all JDM cars , in my opinion this is killing the JDM car scene in Japan. We know youngsters are not much into cars and with these crazy prices on domestic cars and parts it will harder for those who want to buy a car or even parts if you already own one. Hope this ends real soon or at least gets back to some kind of normality.

Author2
Dino Dalle Carbonare

I think what's killing the JDM scene in Japan is Japanese car manufacturers not making fun and affordable sports cars any more. The car scene is just as big as when I started covering it here, the only difference is now foreing cars are the entry level into sports cars

3

It’s good that Japanese cars are now appreciated around the world, it’s well deserved. On the other hand this rising of prices and parts, almost on every JDM car , in my opinion is killing the JDM car scene in Japan. We all know youngsters are not much into cars and for those who want to buy a car or parts if already owning one it will be much harder or impossible. Hope this ends soon or at least gets back to some kind of normal!

4

Maybe I'm wrong but I thought that Nissan had a kind of heritage program and were building new parts and complete RB26DETT engines (probably at a high price) Along with the 964, the GT-R is one of my favourite cars, maybe one day I'll be able to make my dream true.

Author5
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Yes Nismo has, not Nissan:

https://www.nismo.co.jp/heritage_parts/

There isn't much there yet and prices can be 2-3 times higher than what they were

6

OK, thanks for the info!

7

If I were selling my car or even those extra parts sitting in my garage, I would think long and hard not about what I'm going to spend the money I'll get for the car on, but think about whether I'll be able to buy something else a month or if something happens, a year from now.

8

The people who grew up with these cars find themselves in a situation where the mortgage is (almost) paid off and maybe some kids are leaving the house. They have the cash. At the same time cars are being policed by the green movement and the press. Let's face it: the chances that you won't be allowed to drive these cars in 10 years time due to low emissions zones and what not are real.

The time to buy them, drive them and enjoy them is now.

Author9
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Well that has been happening in countries like Italy for years now. Where only certain Euro-emission certified cars are allowed to enter historic town centers. Why would you want to drive them there anyways though? City centers are for Lamborghini's with loud exhausts, mountain roads is where you find proper cars

10

This article is one big cliff hanger for the next! Bring it on, Dino.
Loved to read this, though.

Author11
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Working on it. I think you guys will like it. Prepare tissues...

12

I believe the current and rise in value is fair. As an Aussie, if I compare the current price of Skyline GTR’s against local classic muscle, although no longer cheap they still represent reasonable value especially given their impact and pedigree. Availability and rising cost of parts does worry me so agree with your comments on this topic Dino. If anything the rising value of the cars makes it that much easier to justify the need for expensive maintenance and restoration work which accompanies ageing cars - Maintaining an investment... At least that’s what I now(!) tell the wife.

Author13
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Yeah that's what I tell the wife too. lol
As for Australia, everything is so damn expensive there I would imagine your buying power of cars from Japan will still make it seem they are affordable.

14

I remember when I used to find this garage on google street view before my trip to Japan! Love it!

Author15
Dino Dalle Carbonare

True candy shop!

16

Dino, GTRs are a striking example of the inflation of prices in the used and collectable car market. Here in north eastern USA, we are seeing prices on virtually all interesting cars from the 70s through 1990's rise to higher than expected levels. As a result, even models with fringe collectability, like Honda Civic Si's, Toyota Celicas, even 1980's Camaros and later model Nissan 300zx's (Fairladys) are increasing. That's both good and bad. My friends and I feel like the younger generation is thus forced to buy new cars, many of which have technology and speed uncommon in the day of us generation X'ers. The industry seems to force people to new, soul-less, high horsepower products that have automatic everything and defeat the purpose of the pleasure cruise.

BTW, I always look forward to your posts on GTRs and Hondas. Thanks!!

Author17
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Very well put and laid out. That is the same in most places, most will strive to get the latest EVs. I'm making sure my kids will treasure these mechanical stinky dinosaurs for decades to come

18

resellers are the scum of the earth, what else is new.

Author19
Dino Dalle Carbonare

LOL

20
Antonio Olympio Filho

R32 V-spec II please...hehehe

Author21
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Good luck with that hunt...

22

Dino to sell his car in 2 years time anyone?

Author23
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Hey, I prefer bicycles these days anyways lol

24

Send me one dang

25

Prices of old Toyota land cruisers have gone bananas here in Australia too and one theory is that while international travel is not happening and people can’t take their family on a big holiday, they are spending that disposable income on things they can enjoy at home, like buying and modding a land cruiser to take on trips, which pushes the price up.

That could be something cranking up the prices of GT-Rs too. Who knows if we’ll ever see prices reverse though - the air-cooled Porsche bubble never truly burst after all.

Oh well, as long as I keep finding clapped out BCNR33s go for prices on Yahoo auctions that aren’t prohibitive, the dream isn’t dead for me!

Author26
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Yeah you should see Land Cruiser prices here. There's a restomod craze in Japan I really need to show you guys

27

While I enjoy seeing the increasing prices of the cars themselves, my concern lies with the cost of parts. It used to be fun looking for parts for my 33 GTR. Now I fear it. I worry about the increased cost of ownership. I worry that my agreed upon value insurance policy will not cover the cost of replacing the car...if I were able to find a replacement should something go terribly wrong like an accident or theft. I truly hope Nissan sticks with the Heritage program. I also hope that part hoarders and part resellers don't buy up everything they can only to increase their prices to unobtainable levels. Sadly, all this increased pricing makes me question if I should drive the GTR on a given day. I now think about where I want to go, will it be safe to park there, will I have to murder some non car person for bumping my car and claiming "it's only a car, calm down dude." I drive my GTR for fun as much as possible, but these concerns have made that fewer and fewer times each year.
Cory

28

"It's only a car dude, calm down."

A long time ago, there was a commercial for one of the chain auto parts stores, Advance Auto Parts I think, that showed some new car out in the middle of an empty parking lot. Out of nowhere, an old, smoking beater wheezes into view and proceeds to park right next to the shiny new car.

I always thought that was crap.

Rather, what would happen in real life is the exact opposite. A hot rodder would park his 30-year-old project car in the same spot and some mindless soccer mom would pull her leased minivan into the one next to said project car. You can fill in where it goes from here.

Author29
Dino Dalle Carbonare

It isn't stopping. There are resellers that buy everything Nismo stocks as soon as it's listed. Then turn around and sell it for a profit. This is the disgusting side of it all. But what can you do?

30

One day very (too many?) few people will drive their gtr because maintenance will be more expensive than that of a Ferrari and the speculative bubble will explode, like that of Ferraris in 2018.
Arf I remember in 2010, when an R32 cost € 20,000, an R33 € 15,000 and an R34 € 35,000

Author31
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Those days are a distant memory.

32
Jay Soh Tsu Chung

The issue of rising value of GT-Rs is still a huge debate today. While it is true that it means these cars are being appreciated more, it also gets to the point of prices going to a stupid place. Is it truly worth paying the price of a brand new European supercar for a 20-30 year old car that makes about 1/3 of that performance?

And as Cory Peterson commented, it also makes one worried about driving the car out more often for the fear of it getting stolen or involved in an accident. It just doesn't make sense in this instance.

Author33
Dino Dalle Carbonare

No it is not, theoretically. But then again the market continues to go that way because there are people paying those sort of prices.

34

Same reason that real estate in New York is so expensive - there's always somebody willing to pay the price - often BECAUSE it's so high.

35

I'm starting to feel a little uneasy about the prices, makes me think twice about where I take my r33 here in Ireland. Even parking it at home I remove the steering wheel, block it in with another car and leave the window open, terrified of it not being there in the morning

Author36
Dino Dalle Carbonare

I totally get you

37

The blue BNR 32 DAT ASS omg

38

It's a shame for the hard working enthusiast with the goal of buying a GTR that the market has outpaced their ability to save the money to buy one. 7 years ago I had the chance to buy a R32 off a mate for 14k Euros, I still hate myself today for not having done so. With 24 years of age at the time I was simply short on money, bank loans were not an option. Then again it is bizarre how you can attribute the price hike to one continent. If those import restrictions had not existed, the prices would have increased beyond today's levels the very moment Nissan stopped producing the Skyline GTR.

39

Super cars

Author40
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Very much so

41

Look forward to seeing the "special" cars!

Author42
Dino Dalle Carbonare

Special they are. At least there is rarity there...

43

Hi Dino, can you do an article on the street/tuning scene of V.A.G cars in Japan anything from MK4 to MK7 golfs or Audi's? Knowing how easy it extract good power from them from simple software upgrades etc are they popular in Japan, how do the Japanese feel about these cars or rate them?

44

Being an ex-owner of a BNR34, I can say it’s heartbreaking to see the price inflated and most likely to continue increase as time goes on. However at the same time, I have to agree with DANBOB, Joe and Dino’s comment. If I ever have the chance and money to buy another BNR34, I would do it in a heartbeat. Thanks

By the way Dino, what does Yasui-san and others think about the rise in prices for JDM?

45
GSV Angry Prole

Nice black 380RS hidden amidst the Skylines and GT-Rs

46

I don't know how it works in the rest of the world but in America, "Call For Price" means they're asking too much and they know it.

OFFICIAL SPEEDHUNTERS SUPPLIERS